Storing static configuration data

Question

I have looked for a solution, but getting solutions for SharedPreferences and SQLite databases. I have to store a single URL that my Android application will access for getting some data. I like to keep that as configurable, as in case I can change the URL and use the app with another set of data.

If I use strings.xml, will I need to repeat the same in case I am adding support for other languages?

For storing in SharedPreferences, I need to store it somewhere till the app is installed to be able to save it there.

Using an SQLite database for this seems too far fetched?

I think the basic thing would be to store it in a Constants class, but I am not sure whether that is the correct approach.

Can someone suggest a better solution?

Answer 1

You don't indicate that the url should remain private. So, you may be overlooking the obvious. Why not simply create a "configuration" file that is installed with the application? This can be achieved by following the methodology here. Once it is installed, your application can simple read it and process accordingly.

Answer 2

In our app we store all static configuration in the AndroidManifest.xml as meta-data properties.

The link to the docs can explain it better than I can:

http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/meta-data-element.html

Basically:

<meta-data android:name="api.url" android:value="http://api.some-api.com"/>

Then assuming the meta-data is at application level, you can get it using:

        Bundle data = context.getPackageManager().getApplicationInfo(
            context.getPackageName(),
            PackageManager.GET_META_DATA).metaData;

        String apiUrl = data.getString("api.url");